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Benadryl can be a safe medication for pets when used under your veterinarian's guidance. The active ingredient in Benadryl is diphenhydramine, an over-the-counter (OTC) medication to help humans with allergies. But as it turns out, this OTC antihistamine can also help pets.

The team at Ten West Bird & Animal Hospital breaks it all down in today’s blog post.

What Is Benadryl?

Benadryl is a well-known OTC antihistamine used to treat allergies in humans. It works by blocking histamines, the compounds responsible for those pesky allergic reactions. Vets sometimes recommend it to treat a variety of issues. Or, they may prescribe diphenhydramine under a veterinary label, like Vetadryl.

Either way, diphenhydramine helps treat:

• Mild allergic reactions
• Insect bites
• Motion sickness
• Anxiety
• Nausea and vomiting

We can't emphasize this enough, though: only give your pet diphenhydramine with guidance from your vet. Don't just grab Benadryl from your medicine cabinet and feed it to your dog or cat.

Is Benadryl Safe for Pets?

While Benadryl can be safe for pets, it's important to keep a few things in mind.

First, dosage matters. The right diphenhydramine dosage will depend on your pet's size, weight, and health history. This is why it's crucial to check with your vet before giving your pet any OTC medications, including Benadryl.

Giving a pet too much diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness, dry mouth, and urinary retention, among other things. For some pets, Benadryl might not be safe, particularly if the pet takes other medications or has:

• Heart disease
• Glaucoma
• High blood pressure
• Respiratory issues

It's also key to keep an eye out for side effects after you give your pet Benadryl, especially if it's the first time or a new dose. Rarely, dogs and cats can experience an adverse reaction, leading to vomiting, hyperactivity, or an increased heart rate. If this happens to your pet, seek veterinary care right away.

When to Give Benadryl

Your vet might recommend diphenhydramine for mild allergic reactions, including:

• Seasonal allergies that cause your pet to sneeze or itch
• Bee stings or insect bites
• Mild swelling from minor allergic reactions
• Motion sickness for car rides
• Anxiety

There’s a big but here: if your pet is experiencing facial swelling or trouble breathing from an allergic reaction, seek veterinary care immediately. Benadryl is not a substitute for emergency treatment.

It can, however, help with more minor, day-to-day allergies and motion sickness issues.

For more guidance on whether to give your pet diphenhydramine, talk to your veterinarian! Pet parents in the San Antonio area can make an appointment with our friendly team at Ten West Bird & Animal Hospital to discuss allergy treatment.

Call us today at (210) 696-1700 to schedule an appointment.